Background: The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is globally expanding and has become the main vector for human arboviruses in Europe. With limited antiviral drugs and vaccines available, vector control is the primary approach to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. A reliable and accurate DNA sequence of the Ae. albopictus genome is essential to develop new approaches that involve genetic manipulation of mosquitoes. Results: We use long-read sequencing methods and modern scaffolding techniques (PacBio, 10X, and Hi-C) to produce AalbF2, a dramatically improved assembly of the Ae. albopictus genome. AalbF2 reveals widespread viral insertions, novel microRNAs and piRNA clusters, the sex-determining locus, and new immunity genes, and enables genome-wide studies of geographically diverse Ae. albopictus populations and analyses of the developmental and stage-dependent network of expression data. Additionally, we build the first physical map for this species with 75% of the assembled genome anchored to the chromosomes. Conclusion: The AalbF2 genome assembly represents the most up-to-date collective knowledge of the Ae. albopictus genome. These resources represent a foundation to improve understanding of the adaptation potential and the epidemiological relevance of this species and foster the development of innovative control measures.

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is globally expanding and has become the main vector for human arboviruses in Europe. Here we present AalbF2, a dramatically improved assembly of the Ae. albopictus genome that has revealed widespread viral insertions, novel microRNAs and piRNA clusters, the sex determining locus, new immunity genes, and has enabled genome-wide studies of geographically diverse Ae. albopictus populations and analyses of the developmental and stage-dependent network of expression data. Additionally, we built the first physical map for this species with 75% of the assembled genome anchored to the chromosomes. These up-to-date resources of the genome provide a foundation to improve understanding of the adaptation potential and the epidemiological relevance of this species and foster the development of innovative control measures.

The assessment of pesticide effects in arthropods historically have relied heavily on acute lethal effects. Although the sublethal responses to such compounds are sometimes neglected, stimulatory effects associated with low doses of compounds toxic at higher doses, such as pesticides, have been widely reported in recent years and recognized as a general toxicological phenomenon. Evidence of such stimulatory response has also been reported among mites and a few insect pest-species exposed to pesticides and recognized as a one of the potential causes underlying pest resurgence and secondary pest outbreaks. However, fitness parameters and its implications were seldom considered in these studies and natural enemies are not usually target of attention. Here, we reported the stimulatory effect of sublethal doses (ranging from 0.02 to 172.00 ppb in addition to the control) of the pyrethroid permethrin topically applied to third instar nymphs of the spined soldier bug, Podisus distinctus (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). The parameters estimated from the fertility tables of insects exposed to the increasing doses of insecticide indicated a slight increase in the mean survival time for doses > or = 0.20 ppb and a peak in the net reproductive rate at 1.72 ppb. This trend is coincident and correlated with the intrinsic rate of population growth (n = 18, r = 0.78, P = 0.0001), which also shows a peak at 1.72 ppb, leading to higher reproductive values of insects exposed to this dose. The phenomenon is consistent with insecticide-induced hormesis, for which the potential implications are discussed.

Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and urban yellow fever. Insecticides are often the most effective tools to rapidly decrease the density of vector populations, especially during arbovirus disease outbreaks. However, the intense use of insecticides, particularly pyrethroids, has selected for resistant mosquito populations worldwide. Mutations in the voltage gated sodium channel (Na V) are among the principal mechanisms of resistance to pyrethroids and DDT, also known as "knockdown resistance," kdr. Here we report studies on the origin and dispersion of kdr haplotypes in samples of Ae. aegypti from its worldwide distribution. We amplified the IIS6 and IIIS6 Na V segments from pools of Ae. aegypti populations from 15 countries, in South and North America, Africa, Asia, Pacific, and Australia. The amplicons were barcoded and sequenced using NGS Ion Torrent. Output data were filtered and analyzed using the bioinformatic pipeline Seekdeep to determine frequencies of the IIS6 and IIIS6 haplotypes per population. Phylogenetic relationships among the haplotypes were used to infer whether the kdr mutations have a single or multiple origin. We found 26 and 18 haplotypes, respectively for the IIS6 and IIIS6 segments, among which were the known kdr mutations 989P, 1011M, 1016I and 1016G (IIS6), 1520I, and 1534C (IIIS6). The highest diversity of haplotypes was found in African samples. Kdr mutations 1011M and 1016I were found only in American and African populations, 989P + 1016G and 1520I + 1534C in Asia, while 1534C was present in samples from all continents, except Australia. Based primarily on the intron sequence, IIS6 haplotypes were subdivided into two well-defined clades (A and B). Subsequent phasing of the IIS6 + IIIS6 haplotypes indicates two distinct origins for the 1534C kdr mutation. These results provide evidence of kdr mutations arising de novo at specific locations within the Ae. aegypti geographic distribution. In addition, our results suggest that the 1534C kdr mutation had at least two independent origins. We can thus conclude that insecticide selection pressure with DDT and more recently with pyrethroids is selecting for independent convergent mutations in Na V .

The effective population size (N e) is a fundamental parameter in population genetics that determines the relative strength of selection and random genetic drift, the effect of migration, levels of inbreeding, and linkage disequilibrium. In many cases where it has been estimated in animals, N e is on the order of 10%–20% of the census size. In this study, we use 12 microsatellite markers and 14,888 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to empirically estimate N e in Aedes aegypti, the major vector of yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. We used the method of temporal sampling to estimate N e on a global dataset made up of 46 samples of Ae. aegypti that included multiple time points from 17 widely distributed geographic localities. Our N e estimates for Ae. aegypti fell within a broad range (~25–3,000) and averaged between 400 and 600 across all localities and time points sampled. Adult census size (Nc) estimates for this species range between one and five thousand, so the N e/N c ratio is about the same as for most animals. These N e values are lower than estimates available for other insects and have important implications for the design of genetic control strategies to reduce the impact of this species of mosquito on human health.

Background Anopheles (An.) coluzzii, one of Africa’s primary malaria vectors, is highly anthropophilic. This human host preference contributes greatly to its ability to transmit malaria. In contrast, the closely related An. quadriannulatus prefers to feed on bovids and is not thought to contribute to malaria transmission. The diverged preference for host odor profiles between these sibling species is likely reflected in chemosensory gene expression levels in the olfactory organs. Therefore, we compared the transcriptomes of the antennae and maxillary palps between An. coluzzii and An. quadriannulatus, focusing on the major chemosensory gene families.ResultsWhile chemosensory gene expression is strongly correlated between the two species, various chemosensory genes show significantly enhanced expression in one of the species. In the antennae of An. coluzzii the expression of six olfactory receptors (Ors) and seven ionotropic receptors (Irs) is considerably enhanced, whereas 11 Ors and 3 Irs are upregulated in An. quadriannulatus. In the maxillary palps, leaving aside Irs with very low level of expression, one Ir is strongly enhanced in each species. In addition, we find divergence in odorant binding protein (Obp) gene expression, with several highly expressed Obps being enhanced in the antennae and palps of An. coluzzii. Finally, the expression of several gustatory receptors (Grs) in the palps appears to be species-specific, including a homolog of a sugar-sensing Drosophila Gr. ConclusionsA considerable number of Ors and Irs are differentially expressed between these two closely related species with diverging host preference. These chemosensory genes could play a role in the human host preference of the malaria vector An. coluzzii. Additionally, divergence in Obp expression between the two species suggests a possible role of these odor carrier proteins in determining host preference. Finally, divergence in chemosensory expression in the palps may point towards a possible role for the maxillary palps in host differentiation.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-017-4122-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

-The objective was to evaluate the selectivity of pesticides used in coffee crops to larvae of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) and their effects on the subsequent developmental stages of the predator. The treatments in g a.i./L of water were: 1 -endosulfan (Thiodan 350 CE -1.75), 2 -chlorpyrifos (Lorsban 480 CE -1.2), 3 -betacyfluthrin (Turbo 50 CE -0.013), 4 -sulphur (Kumulus 800 PM -4.0), 5 -azocyclotin (Peropal 250 PM -0.31), 6 -copper oxichloride (Cuprogarb 500 PM -5.0) and 7 -control (water). The products were sprayed on first, second and third-instar larvae using a Potter's tower. The larvae were individualized in glass tubes and maintained at 25 ± 2 o C, RH of 70 ± 10% and 12h photophase. The toxicity of the pesticides was calculated based in their total effect (E) and classified according to recommendations of IOBC. Chlorpyrifos and betacyfluthrin were harmful to first-instar larvae (E > 99%). Endosulfan, sulphur, azocyclotin and copper oxichloride were harmless to firstinstar larvae and the others were selective. Chlorpyrifos was also toxic to second and third-instar larvae, and the other compounds were selective (E < 30%). None of the pesticides affected the duration and survival rate of pupae or the sex ratio of the adults originated from treated larvae. Endosulfan, sulphur, azocyclotin and copper oxichloride were harmless to the larval stage of C. externa and did not affect the subsequent stages, so that they can be recommended in IPM programs for the coffee crop.KEY WORDS: Insecta, Coffea arabica, green lacewing, insecticide, acaricide, selectivity RESUMO -Avaliou-se a seletividade fisiológica de alguns produtos fitossanitários utilizados em cafeeiro a larvas de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) e seus reflexos nas fases subseqüentes do desenvolvimento do predador. Os tratamentos avaliados, em g i.a./L de água foram: 1-endosulfam (Thiodan 350 CE -1,75), 2-clorpirifós (Lorsban 480 CE -1,2), 3-betaciflutrina (Turbo 50 CE -0,013), 4-enxofre (Kumulus 800 PM -4,0), 5-azociclotina (Peropal 250 PM -0,31), 6-oxicloreto de cobre (Cuprogarb 500 PM -5,0) e 7-testemunha (água). As pulverizações foram realizadas em larvas de primeiro, segundo e terceiro ínstares de C. externa, por meio de torre de Potter. Em seguida, as larvas foram individualizadas em tubos de vidro e mantidas em câmara climatizada regulada a 25 ± 2 o C, UR de 70 ± 10% e fotofase de 12h. A toxicidade dos produtos foi calculada em função do seu efeito total (E) e categorizada conforme escala proposta pela IOBC. Clorpirifós e betaciflutrina foram nocivos a larvas de primeiro ínstar (E > 99%) e os demais foram seletivos. Clorpirifós foi também tóxico a larvas de segundo e terceiro ínstares, sendo os demais compostos inócuos ao predador (E < 30%). Nenhum dos produtos avaliados afetou a duração e sobrevivência de pupas, ou a razão sexual e fase adulta dos indivíduos provenientes de larvas tratadas. Endosulfam, enxofre, azociclotina e oxicloreto de cobre foram seletivos para larvas de primeiro, segundo e terceiro ínstares de C. externa e não afetaram ...

-The objective of this work was to evaluate the selectivity of abamectin (0.0054 g a.i. L ), tebufenozide (0.12 g a.i. L -1 ) and thiacloprid (0.036 g a.i. L -1 ) to eggs and larvae of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen). Commercial formulations of the insecticides were diluted in water and sprayed, using a Potter's tower, at 1.5 ± 0.5 mg.cm -2 , either on eggs or on glass plates, where first, second and third-instar larvae were placed to assess the contact action on them. Egg viability, survival of larvae, pupae and adults, and the effects of the compounds on the reproductive capacity of individuals were evaluated. The total toxic effect (E) of the insecticides was calculated according to the standard methodology established by IOBC. All tested insecticides were selective for eggs of C. externa. Lufenuron and deltamethrin were highly toxic to first, second and third-instar larvae of C. externa (E > 99% of mortality). Abamectin, fenbutatin oxide, tebufenozide and thiacloprid were moderately toxic to larvae of C. externa. First-instar larvae were the most sensitive to the compounds. All tested insecticides need to be tested under greenhouse and field conditions, to further evaluate their suitability for IPM programs in citrus crops.